IT has been said that the people who make the difference are not the ones with credentials but the ones with concern.

        Viewing the live TV coverage of the senate committee hearing on the NBN-ZTE deal, it is not hard to discern that witness Rodolfo Lozada, Jr. is speaking from the heart and telling the truth in revealing what he knows about the aborted agreement with the Chinese corporate entity.

        “Jun” Lozada may not have the credentials of former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos, Jr. or that of Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye or Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, but the manner and demeanor shown by the former while testifying sans any note has evoked belief from a keen and impartial observers. This I could say from my experience of thirty-nine years (39) in the private practice of law and six (6) years as judge of the Regional Trial Court. No wonder not even the grueling cross examination of old hands in the practice of law like Senator Juan Ponce Enrile and Senator Meriam Defensor Santiago could rattle the star witness.

        All that Malacañang could do was to try to minimize the damage by trying to deflect the heat from President GMA and the First Gentleman with news about revival of character change and the alleged slay plot against President GMA.

        It has been said that heroes are not born. They are made. Indeed, to most Filipinos Rodolfo Noel “Jun” Lozada is a hero made by the circumstances in which he found himself in. As a fellow Bicolano, I feel proud of him. This could also be one of the finest moments for the Bicol Region.

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        I am wondering whatever happened to our fellow Bicolano Senator “Pag mali ka, bad ka” Joker Arroyo. Since the beginning of the committee hearing he has been most often in the “silent mode.” Has the maverick senator turned pro-administration? It would seem that the signals he is giving his fellow Bicolanos is towards that direction. He tried to pin down star witness “Jun” Lozada but got the surprise of his life when the star witness countered that he was at the senator’s house on invitation of a certain Atty. Abaya and spoke with his wife who allegedly tried to dissuade him from testifying before the committee.

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        It is said that “Until he has been part of a cause larger than himself, no man is truly whole.” Be “truly whole” by joining the signature campaign against corruption in government. You can go to radio station DWNX at the Ramaida Building in Elias Angeles St., or the Universidad de Sta. Isabel for the purpose.

QUOTATION FOR THE WEEK:
        “THE PRESIDENCY IS NOT MERELY AN
        ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE. THAT’S THE
        LEAST OF IT. IT IS PRE-EMINENTLY
        A PLACE FOR MORAL LEADERSHIP.”

- FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE:
        “DISHONEST MONEY DWINDLES AWAY
        BUT HE WHO GATHERS MONEY LITTLE
        BY LITTLE MAKES IT GROW.”

- PROVERBS 13:11